Using your pet's name as your password could get you hacked

You may love them, but your pet's name makes you a bit less safe

Author: Sophie ParsonsPublished 8th Apr 2021

You love your pet and so when you're sitting trying to think of a password they could be an inspiration, but cybersecurity experts are warning us that using pet names as a password could make you an easy target for hackers.

15% of British people use the name of their pet as passwords according to new research, that means almost 10 million people in the UK use their pets for password inspiration,

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned that hackers could find it easier to gain access to accounts by simply guessing typical pet names.

What other words should you avoid for your password?

In addition to pet names, the survey found that people commonly use important dates, favourite sport teams and family members as passwords, all which should also be avoided according to the NCSC.

Instead, they advise using three random words to help keep online accounts safe.

NCSC director for policy and communications Nicola Hudson said: “We may be a nation of animal lovers, but using your pet’s name as a password could make you an easy target for callous cybercriminals.

“I would urge everybody to visit cyberaware.gov.uk and follow our guidance on setting secure passwords which recommends using passwords made up of three random words."

Speaking of pets... here are some of our favourite animal stories:

Ferret makes 'miraculous' recovery after going through the wash

Bandit the ferret made a 'miraculous' recovery after going through the wash in January.

Bud the parrot was put on a diet due to a crisp addiction

Bud the parrot was left unable to fly after eating too many crisps. She was put on a diet to help her lose some weight.

A very rare seal pup was rescued from the Yorkshire coast

Egg is a grey seal pup with melanism meaning her coat is almost black. Only 1 in 400 seals are born with the condition.

Neglected dogs become pampered pooches

Thirty abandoned dogs who were found in desperate need of some TLC underwent amazing transformations in RSPCA care.

Our pets might receive the Covid-19 vaccine one day

Scientists have said that our pets may receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the future to help prevent transmission in humans. However, experts assure this is simply precautionary planning for the future and there is no current examples of transmission from pets to owners.

A baby giraffe was named after Margaret Keenan, the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine

A baby giraffe born at Whipsnade zoo in Bedfordshire was named Margaret after the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial.

Blind guinea pig Ami is guided by her sister Yuki

Being a blind guinea pig doesn't hinder Ami, who is guided by her loyal sister Yuki. According to an RSPCA representative, Yuki "looks out for" her sister every day.

A goat at a bus stop was among the RSPCA's strangest rescues last year

A goat at a bus stop was on the list of the RSPCA's strangest rescues of 2020, which included a seal on the treadmill and a puppy in a lounger chair.

First baby beaver for 600 years

A baby beaver has made history as the first to be born in Norfolk in more than 600 years. Two pairs of beavers were reintroduced near Heacham on the north Norfolk coast, last year. A baby beaver, known as a kit, has since been captured on camera paddling through water at night.

"Angry" chicken ruffles feathers by holding up traffic

An "angry" chicken ruffled feathers by holding up traffic in Littlehampton. Police said the "defensive" bird wasn't allowing anyone near it in Cornwall Road.

Cat missing for more than a decade reunited with owner

Fergus went missing from his Forres owner in late 2010 and 11 years later he was found by Cats Protection volunteers at a recycling centre in Aberdeen. It was only when his microchip was scanned they realised how far away from home he was.

Longleat welcomes first southern koala baby

The first-ever southern koala to have been born in Europe was welcomed by safari park Longleat in Wiltshire, with keepers and staff saying they're 'delighted'.

Missing cat invades football pitch and is reunited with owner

Topsey the cat invaded the pitch during a match between Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough Stadium. After the game was stopped so Topsey could have her belly tickled and be escorted off the pitch, she was reunited with owner after being missing for 8 months.

If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store, listen online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio".